Where to Eat / Drink / Stay in Las Vegas
Las Vegas certainly has something for everyone with first class entertainment, dining and of course, people watching. Here’s your guide to eating, drinking, and entertainment in Vegas.
Clubbing
Get your holiday off to a wild start and head out on your first night. With so many clubs in Vegas, it’s hard to choose one. So why not go on a club tour? Nite Tours of Vegas will do that and then some. You’ll visit 4 or 5 of some of the hot spots. With Nite Tours you’ll have access to an expedited line where cover fees are taken care of and transportation on a booze filled bus. There will be about 10 people on your bus. Hosts were friendly and enthusiastic about the tour, though this may not be for everyone.
Chandelier Bar at Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
Don’t do clubbing? If you left bar hopping in your twenties and desire a more sophisticated, laid back spot to sip cocktails, The Chandelier Bar is for you. The unique bar spans three different levels, each serving different cocktails. And it is enveloped in a giant chandelier, hence the name. Leave it to Las Vegas for over the top decor.
Stay
Flamingo resort
As far as vegas strip hotels go, for the price, Flamingo is a good value. While an older hotel, they have kept it updated. The rooms were spacious and very clean. Although the restaurants at the hotel are pretty forgettable, the breakfast buffet is a good value especially if you have the food and beverage credit of $20 per day.
Keep in mind, any amenities you may be used to at other hotels, aren’t offered at Vegas hotels unless you are a big gambler. Want a refrigerator to store leftovers? That’ll be $15. Want to check-in early? That will set you back $30.
The Flamingo’s pool was nice but not spectacular by Vegas standards. It was so crowded in fact, it was only bearable for one afternoon. Note that the main pool is 21+ and the family pool is rather tiny.
Entertainment
The Linq
The Linq is a new dining and more area opened in the last couple months. Here you will find shopping, dining and high roller ferris wheel. The high roller (550 feet), is the tallest of its kind in the world. Prices vary, but a good deal is the happy hour from 4-7 pm. for $24.99. Get unlimited beer or well drinks. The inside scoop from our bartender was that the day view of the mountains was better than the night view. Tip: Other night prices are more, but I don’t think it is worth more than the $24.99 happy hour option.

Been to the Cirque shows and looking for something different? I highly recommend ABSINTHE; Part stand up comedy, part acrobatics and part burlesque show. In between fits of laughter, I was mesmerized by the sheer feats of acrobatics . Note this takes place outside caesars in a tent as opposed to the most shows which take place inside hotels. The intimate venue is an incredible setup for the show. ABSINTHE is rather raunchy so if you are easily offended, this is not the show for you.
Dining
This is an upscale pub offering not only a fresh raw bar but quite terrific pub food too. Take advantage of happy hour specials between 3-6 daily like $2 oysters and $3 sliders. Oysters were deliciously fresh. A lobster roll, served in 3 small bites, with drawn butter was sinfully good as well.
Need a coffee fix and don’t want to patronize Starbucks? I feel you. That’s why you should head on over to the Sambalatte. All of their coffee is fair trade and it is a serene and quiet atmosphere – quite the opposite of everywhere else in Las Vegas. Get the Nutella latte.
RX Boiler Room
“The alchemy of food and cocktails” rx boiler room located above RM seafood in Mandalay Bay is a terrific option for those looking for expertly crafted cocktails paired with a unique spin on comfort foods. Think shrimp corn dogs.
Le Village Buffet at Paris Hotel

Food bloggers don’t do buffets, right? The exception is in Las Vegas. While hotels like Caesar’s with the Bacchanial buffet are well known for their gargantuan offerings, don’t overlook more affordable options like the Paris buffet. Modeled to resemble a quaint french town, here you’ll find all kinds of specialties including duck al ‘orange, pastas with truffle sauce, and macaroons. The buffet is a deal for just $30 including non-alcoholic beverages.
Yusho
The most inventive and creative dishes I had during my stay are at Yusho, a new restaurant located in the Monte Carlo. Though casual, this is unlike anything else on the strip. Start with the cocktail flight – a sampling of 5 is $25. Look for items like chicken skins, hamachi kama with peanut sauce and the monster ramen, a 40 ounce portion of ramen with skewers if both shrimp and pork.
Never resting on its laurels, sin city always seems to be able to modernize and reinvent itself. Fall is a terrific time to visit Las Vegas. The hotel deals are pretty good and there’s no shortage of fantastic restaurants and entertainment.
Disclosure: some of our meals and entertainment on this trip were complimentary, but the opinions expressed are our own.